Exploring
While at the park, I took the nature trail that winds past the birding tower to explore the surrounding landscape. The walk offered a great variety of terrain, from the natural forest floor to the weathered textures of the boardwalks and bridges. Crossing over the water, I was able to experience the transition into the bottomland forest and feel the different soil densities and roots beneath my bare feet. I stopped along the boarded walkway to soak in the views of the cypress-tupelo swamp, which was incredibly peaceful. Watching the light filter through the moss-draped trees while feeling the cool, damp wood of the path really connected me to the ecosystem. It was a grounding walk that proved the best way to witness the park’s wild beauty is to slow down and experience it one step at a time.
There’s something powerful about feeling the ground change beneath your bare soles—from the soft, damp earth of the cypress-tupelo swamp to the solid, rhythmic metal of a 100-foot climb. Reaching the top of the Perry Lakes Birding Tower was a highlight of the trip; it’s a serious vertical cardio session that really tests your foot mobility and strength. The burn in my legs was worth it the second I cleared the treeline and felt the fresh breeze coming off the Cahaba River. Being 100 feet up puts you right in the heart of the forest's incredible biodiversity, offering a rare bird’s-eye view of life thriving within the canopy. It was the perfect reminder that nature provides the best gym and the best views, and it’s a great way to stay barefoot and grounded—even when you’re standing in the clouds.
While we’re talking about strengthening our feet, there is another activity I’ve struggled with while barefoot: climbing rope and pipe ladders. It looks easy, but when your feet are rigid, it can be surprisingly painful. I’ve officially placed mastering these on my bucket list for the year. My research shows that I need to focus on metatarsal splay (the ability for the ball of the foot to spread) and mid-foot mobility. My goal over the next year is to loosen up the muscles and ligaments in my feet, allowing them to flex and mold naturally to the surfaces I walk and climb. What are your exercise goals, barefoot or shoed, for this year?
The Lodge Cast Iron Museum in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, is home to the largest cast iron skillet in the world—so, of course, we had to visit. After paying the admission fee, we toured the museum, which walks visitors through the entire process of casting cookware. The museum is vibrant and full of interactive, hands-on exhibits that everyone can enjoy. The highlight is the enormous skillet, measuring about 18 feet across and weighing over 14,000 pounds. We couldn’t pass up this stop on our way home during our last road trip.
While in Tellico Plains, we made the short drive to Bald River Falls, one of East Tennessee’s most stunning waterfalls, located in the Cherokee National Forest. The falls drop an impressive 90 feet into the Tellico River, surrounded by the lush, forested mountains of the Unicoi Range. The falls are easily accessible—we parked nearby and walked onto the bridge for the perfect viewing spot. The cool mist from the falls was refreshing on our faces as we snapped photos and soaked in the natural beauty. We even met another barefoot family while visiting, which was pretty cool. We opted not to hike, but a short trail leads to the top of the falls for another perspective.
While visiting Oak Mountain State Park, my son and I took a walk along the Treetop Nature Trail to see the resident birds. The elevated boardwalk winds through the trees, housing several birds of prey—including owls and hawks—that have been rehabilitated but can no longer survive in the wild. It was a great opportunity for us to see these birds up close and learn about the special care they require. The walk was peaceful and easy, allowing us to focus on the different species and the surrounding forest. My son really enjoyed spotting the birds as we moved along the canopy, and it was a relaxing way to spend time together while appreciating the park's conservation efforts.
We encourage you to explore the great outdoors with your children, family and friends. Studies indicate children eight years and older spend more than 1300 hours annually in front of computers, mobile devices and televisions combined. The Bare Soles Explorers’ strives to encourage children to go outdoors, disconnect and immerse themselves in adventure. Engaging in various activities, such as playing at the park, hiking in the woods, visiting a museum, exploring a historical landmark, camping at a national park, or constructing a stick fort encourages physical, social, and behavioral well-being, and can improve a child’s academic performance. Become a Bare Soles Explorer today by unplugging from technology and exploring a destination close to home or taking an overnight road trip. Connect with our community #baresolesexplorers and share your adventures with us on social media when your exploration is done. Tag us @baresolesexplorers and we’ll repost your adventure. Build memories that will last a lifetime. Why @baresolesexplorers? Because kids love to be barefoot. We aim to empower children to embrace their adventurous nature, engage their senses, and discover creative experiences in the world around them. Furthermore, research indicates that going barefoot has health benefits for both children and adults, including stress reduction, physical strengthening, and enhanced learning abilities. While being barefoot is not a requirement to join our community, a passion for adventure and the creation of cherished family memories are all that’s needed. Will you join us? Invite your family and friends to follow us, share your adventures with #baresolesexplorers and tag @baresolesexplorers to have your adventures reposted in our social community. #baresolesexplorers #explorethegreatoutdoors #gobarefoot #activekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #optoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #unplug
Driving off the Skyway into Tellico Plains, Tennessee, we stumbled upon the Charles Hall Museum & Heritage Center — a hidden gem that’s completely free to visit. Inside, a fascinating collection brings the region’s history to life, from Native American heritage to Appalachian settlers and local traditions. What truly captured my attention was the massive telephone exhibit, complete with working analog switchboards—you can actually place a call from one end of the room to the other and watch the vintage hardware make the connection. But the museum doesn’t stop there: antique sewing machines, washing machines, farming tools, and handcrafted pottery fill the rooms, offering a little something for everyone. If you find yourself in Tellico Plains, carve out some time to wander through this remarkable museum—you won’t regret it!
We recently drove the Cherohala Skyway and stopped to hike to the top of Huckleberry Knob—and loved every step… yes, even barefoot! The trail winds through heavily forested slopes filled with lush hardwoods, making it feel like a true mountain escape. This family-friendly hike climbs about 260 feet in elevation and stretches just over 1.5 miles, perfect for little adventurers. The views along the 43-mile Skyway, which spans Tennessee and North Carolina, are already stunning from the car—but reaching the knob on foot gives you an entirely new perspective. The panoramic summit views were breathtaking, and our little one had the best time exploring nature up close. Have you or your family done any hiking in Tennessee or North Carolina? Which spots do you recommend?
We stopped at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Tennessee, best known for hosting the 1996 Summer Olympics whitewater events. The course—built with massive boulders to create manmade rapids on the natural Ocoee River—is still the only Olympic whitewater venue of its kind because it was designed directly on a natural river rather than a fully artificial channel. We walked across the suspension bridge, pausing to take in views of the river below. Even with the water low in the off-season, the peaceful setting made it easy to slow down, and our walk along the river turned out to be the highlight of the visit. Has anyone else been here?
For National Go Barefoot Day I cannot think of a better individual to take a photo with than Bigfoot. I think we can all agree he is one of the world’s most active barefooter! We invite you and your family to get outdoors today and enjoy it barefoot. Visit a playground, take a walk, go for a hike, or run around the yard without shoes. Barefoot activities are a great way to strengthen and flex the human foot. We would love to hear about the shoeless activities you enjoyed today!
Today is National Go Barefoot Day — a fun day for everyone to kick off their shoes and go barefoot! We invite you and your family to get outdoors today and enjoy it barefoot. Visit a playground, take a walk, go for a hike, or run around the yard without shoes. Barefoot activities are a great way to strengthen and flex the human foot. We would love to hear about the shoeless activities you enjoyed today!
We encourage you to explore the great outdoors with your children, family and friends. Studies indicate children eight years and older spend more than 1300 hours annually in front of computers, mobile devices and televisions combined. The Bare Soles Explorers’ strives to encourage children to go outdoors, disconnect and immerse themselves in adventure. Engaging in various activities, such as playing at the park, hiking in the woods, visiting a museum, exploring a historical landmark, camping at a national park, or constructing a stick fort encourages physical, social, and behavioral well-being, and can improve a child’s academic performance. Become a Bare Soles Explorer today by unplugging from technology and exploring a destination close to home or taking an overnight road trip. Connect with our community #baresolesexplorers and share your adventures with us on social media when your exploration is done. Tag us @baresolesexplorers and we’ll repost your adventure. Build memories that will last a lifetime. Why @baresolesexplorers? Because kids love to be barefoot. We aim to empower children to embrace their adventurous nature, engage their senses, and discover creative experiences in the world around them. Furthermore, research indicates that going barefoot has health benefits for both children and adults, including stress reduction, physical strengthening, and enhanced learning abilities. While being barefoot is not a requirement to join our community, a passion for adventure and the creation of cherished family memories are all that’s needed. Will you join us? Invite your family and friends to follow us, share your adventures with #baresolesexplorers and tag @baresolesexplorers to have your adventures reposted in our social community. #baresolesexplorers #explorethegreatoutdoors #gobarefoot #activekids #naturekids #childhoodunplugged #optoutside #outdoorkids #outdoorfamilies #unplug
"Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener…" or better yet, had one to eat. As we were driving through Tennessee, I heard, "There’s the Wienermobile!" from the back seat—and sure enough, there was the 27-foot-long iconic vehicle parked outside the Food City in Cleveland. It was a slight detour from our plans, but not something we would pass up. We made a quick stop, took our photo with the truck, met the crew, and then got back on the road. What iconic vehicles have you come across on your travels?
On our latest road trip, we came across the most creative park we’ve visited in quite some time. Located in Collegedale, Tennessee—home of McKee Foods—is Little Debbie Park, a sugar-filled playground full of delicious snack-themed structures. While the little one played on the rock climbs and zip lines, I went to see my favorite snack, the Cosmic Brownie. The park also features Nutty Buddy bars, an Oatmeal Creme Pie, and a Christmas Tree Cake, all designed for active children to climb and play on. It was great to see so many children, including ours, enjoying this unique playground and getting in some outdoor, screen-free time. If you find yourself just north of Chattanooga, this park is well worth the stop.
This past weekend’s hike took us over much rougher terrain than I’ve tackled in years, and it was certainly the most difficult trek our family has ever done together. The trail was steep and jagged in sections; I went fully barefoot while everyone else opted for minimalist shoes. The challenge sent me straight to doing some research afterward, where I had two major 'ah-ha' moments. First, I need to focus on a forefoot landing with smaller, quicker steps while looking 3–5 feet ahead. Second, I realized that a tight plantar fascia accentuates the impact of every rock and stone. I am now incorporating exercises to improve the suppleness of my feet, which should make the next rocky trail a lot less painful. Are you able to hike on rocky terrain or do you stick to the clay and sand paths?
Did you know it’s legal to drive barefoot in all 50 states? No federal or state laws explicitly require footwear to operate a personal vehicle. This "urban legend" was officially debunked in 1994 by Jason Heimbaugh, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who received confirmation from all 50 DMVs that the practice is perfectly legal. In fact, some safety experts argue that driving barefoot is safer than wearing flip-flops or high heels, which can easily get snagged on the pedals. Next time you’re on a long trek, feel free to set your feet free! Have you ever tried it? Let us know!
The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer—it’s road trip season. And on road trips, you’ve got to eat. We try to find local restaurants along our route so we can enjoy something a little different and unique to the area. When we can’t, we look for places where we can sit outdoors. Needless to say, Sonic Drivein is one of our favorite stops. The little one loves hot dogs, and I’m more of a breakfast toaster fan myself. I also appreciate not having to put on shoes just to grab lunch. What are your go-to fast food spots for a quick stop?
"If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs." Nicolette Sowder We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments. If you have a favorite quote about nature, drop it in the comments as well.
Today’s post is simple. We simply want to encourage you and your family to get outdoors and explore the world around you. Go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride; anything that you and your family enjoy. Tag us in a post and let us know what your family enjoys doing outdoors.